See it in your mind- close your eyes and picture what your task or project will look like when you reach the end result. Now work backward and write as you go. A major problem is that people tend to leave out obvious steps when they are putting their goal or project together. You will reduce the chance that you’ll make this mistake if you really see it in your mind.

By writing down all of the steps needed, including the obvious ones, aren’t you educating your boss and others about what’s really involved in completing a project or difficult task?

Clearly Define Your Goal in a StatementThe more clearly defined your goal is, the greater the chance you will achieve it. Some Examples are:

To finish XYZ engineering drawing by 11/30 and present it to my boss.

To completely clean off the top of my desk by 12/31. I must file, throw away, or sign off on each file or piece of paper.

To receive my master’s degree in engineering by the end of the second quarter.

To increase sales by 15 percent over the same quarter last year

The biggest mistake I see here is that people try to start at the beginning and work towards the end result.

Write it DownThere is a direct correlation between the amount of writing you do on your project or task and the probability of success. The more you write down, the higher the probability you’re going to succeed. The more you write down, the higher the probability you’re going to succeed. The more you write down, the larger the commitment you’re making to complete your task or project!

It’s like when a computer downloads a picture. When it first appears, it’s very fuzzy. As it continues to download, the picture becomes more and more focused until the picture is crystal clear. It’s the same concept here.

Begin by brainstorming. See it in your mind, then just start writing about the steps, the tasks, who you’re going to need and why, and ideas that come to mind. Just make notes, whatever pops into your head first, in no particular order. Remember: planning and organizing are a task and checkmark. This will get you going.

Remember, your mind is very visual. When it sees that you’ve put a lot down in writing, it sends the message, “We might as well do it; you’ve already spent all this time writing about it!’

IDENTIFY WHEN YOU’RE GOING TO WORK ON IT DAILY AND/OR WEEKLY

Ask yourself, “When, during the course of each day or week, am I going to work on my goal? Why is that time frame the best? Can I start it first thing in the morning so that I can get it out of the way?”

This is a more important step than you think. By doing this, you’ll increase the chance of success. First, you’ll be putting the goal into your schedule at a specific time, so you don’t put it off to the end of the day; second , you’ll be making a commitment; and third, you’ll be using clear thought to pick the correct time to work on it.